Chrysanthemum plant named Frisky

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum named Frisky having a dwarf habit, late eight to early nine week response, anemone flower form, white ray florets with yellow disc florets or cushion, and an ability to be grown year around in 9 cm. pots with little growth regulation.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., hereinafter referred to by thecultivar name Frisky.

Frisky is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating new Chrysanthemum cultivars with eight (8) weekresponse, anemone flower form, white ray floret color with a yellowcushion, and a dwarf habit suitable for year around growing in 9 cm.pots. Such traits in combination were not present in previouslyavailable commercial cultivars.

Frisky was originated from a hybridization made by Leonard H. Shoesmithcontrolled breeding program in Westfield, Woking, England in 1976. Themale and female parents are unknown at this time. Frisky was discoveredand selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the parentageby applicant in November, 1977 in a controlled environment in WestChicago, Ill., and given the code name F7-410-WS.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Frisky was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in February,1978 in a controlled environment in West Chicago, Ill. by a technicianworking under formulations established and supervised by Leonard H.Shoesmith. Horticultural examination of selected units initiated inMarch, 1978 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for Frisky are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Frisky has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in West Chicago, Ill. and Parrish, Fla. under greenhouseconditions which approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Frisky, which in combination distinguishthis Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Dwarf habit.

2. Late eight (8) to early nine (9) week response.

3. Anemone flower form.

4. White ray florets.

5. Yellow disc florets or cushion.

6. Ability to be grown year around in 9 cm. pots in most areas, andrequiring few B-9 treatments.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to Frisky is the cultivar Frosty, disclosed inU.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 488,771, filed Apr. 26, 1983. Incomparison to Frosty, Frisky has smaller leaves, is shorter (morecompact), has smaller flowers, has a deeper and more intense yellowcushion, and is easier to grow in 9 cm. pots in a year around program.The flower form of Frisky is similar to that same characteristic ofFrosty.

The accompanying photographic drawing of Frisky comprises a black andwhite photograph, with the disc florets or cushion of one flowercontaining the true flower color of the disc florets.

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined atapproximately 11:00 a.m. on Jan. 17, 1985 under natural and fluorescentlight at Bradenton, Fla.

Classification:

Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Frisky.

Commercial.--Anemone CBR, four (4) inch pot.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Anemone.

Diameter across face.--2-3 cm.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--White.

Color (under surface).--155B-C.

Color (top surface).--155B.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature cushion).--9A.

Color (immature).--Lime green, approximately 154A-B.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present in disc florets only; numerous.

Gynoecium.--Present in both ray and disc florets; numerous.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--15-25 cm. above edge of pot when properly grown in 9 cm. pot.

B. Foliage:

Color (under surface).--147 B.

Color (top surface).--147 A.

Shape.--Ovate and deeply lobed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum named Frisky, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by its dwarf habit; late eight to early nine week response; anemone flower form; white ray florets with yellow disc florets or cushion, and by its ability to be grown year around in 9 cm. pots with little growth regulation. 